Key Concepts of Beliefs in Society and Religion

A comprehensive set of flashcards focusing on key concepts related to beliefs in society and religion.

Religiosity

The extent to which someone sees themselves as religious.

Fundamentalism

An appeal to tradition, seeking a return to the basics or fundamentals of faith.

Secularisation

The decrease in power that religion has in society.

Ideology

A set of ideas, values and beliefs that provide a means of interpreting the world.

Theistic Beliefs

Belief in a higher power that could be monotheistic (one God) or polytheistic (many gods).

New Age Movements

Spiritual belief systems focused on self-development rather than devotion to a higher power.

Animism

A belief in spirits and ghosts that can positively or negatively impact the human or natural world.

Totemism

A form of animism where a community creates a symbol representing them, believed to protect the group.

Substantive Definition of Religion

Focuses on core characteristics shared by major religions; exclusive in nature.

Functional Definitions of Religion

Looks at what religion does for society, such as comfort and reinforcement of societal values.

Constructionist Definition of Religion

Interested in how definitions of religion are constructed and depend on who holds power.

Ethnocentric

Focusing on Western religions and excluding those without a supernatural god.

Belief Systems

Stories and realities about the world that a person believes to be true.

Closed Belief System

A belief system that does not tolerate criticisms and suggests it knows the ultimate truth.

Open Belief System

A belief system that is open to challenge and change, like the scientific method.

Denial of Legitimacy

Rejection of rivals' claims to convince followers they alone hold the truth.

Subsidiary Explanations

Get out clauses to explain away criticisms or deflect arguments.

Circularity

Each idea within a closed belief system is explained in terms of another idea within the same system.

Marxism

Views all ideologies, including religion, as tools for the ruling class to maintain power.

Postmodernism

Belief in multiple ideologies within society, reflecting the values of different social groups.

Feminism

Critiques ideologies that promote patriarchy through religion and science.

Alienation

The lack of power, control, and fulfillment experienced by workers under capitalism.

Liberation Theology

A movement advocating for the rights of the poor and promoting social change through religious leadership.

Collective Consciousness

Shared norms, values, beliefs, and knowledge that enable social living.

Cognitive Functions of Religion

Provides concepts necessary for reasoning, understanding, and communication.

Psychological Functions of Religion

Helps individuals cope with emotional stress and provide comfort during crises.

Civil Religion

The belief system that attaches sacred qualities to society itself, integrating diverse religious beliefs.

Pentecostalism

A Christian movement that emphasizes a personal experience of God, frequent in South America.

CUDOS Norms

Merton's principles: Communism, Universalism, Disinterestedness, Organized Scepticism regarding scientific knowledge.

Paradigm

A framework that shapes research and thinking within a discipline.

Falsification

The principle that for something to be scientific, it must be possible to prove it false.

Interpretivism

The belief that knowledge is socially constructed through shared paradigms.

Spiritual Revolution

The idea that there is a resurgence of interest in spiritual beliefs and practices.

New Religious Movements (NRMs)

Groups that have recently emerged, often offering alternative spiritual quests.

Crisis of Meaning

The experience of uncertainty leading people to seek out new belief systems.

Gender and Religion

The dynamics of how gender affects religious participation and roles.

Ethnicity and Religion

The relationship between ethnic identity and religious belief among different groups.

Age and Religion

Differences in religious participation across various age groups.

Secularisation Theory

The process where religion loses influence and significance in society.

Vicarious Religion

Expressing belief through others rather than belonging to a congregation.

Religious Economy Theory

The idea that competition among religions makes them stronger.

Fundamentalism

A strict adherence to traditional religious beliefs and practices.

Cultural Defence

How religion unites communities against external threats.

Disembedding

The breakdown of geographical and cultural barriers allowing for diverse beliefs.

Moral Code

A set of principles with supernatural origins that guide behavior.

Prayer

Forms of communication with a supernatural being.

Sects

Small, tightly knit groups practicing a specific religious belief separate from mainstream religion.

Cults

New religious groups often led by charismatic leaders, typically smaller and less organized.

Church

A large, bureaucratic organization that integrates into society.

Denomination

A subgroup within a larger religious tradition with its own distinct interpretation.

New Age Movement

A trend in spirituality focusing on personal development and healing.

Collective Rituals

Ceremonies and practices that reinforce the collective identity of a group.

Gender Roles

Societal norms dictating appropriate behavior and responsibilities for individuals based on gender.

Rituals

Structured and repetitive actions often sacred in nature that signify belonging.

Caste System

A hierarchical social structure in Hindu society determining social status.

Buddhism

An Eastern religion focused on personal spiritual development and enlightenment.

Hinduism

A major world religion emphasizing a collection of beliefs and practices rooted in ancient Indian culture.

Civil Rights Movement

A historical movement advocating for equal rights led by figures such as Martin Luther King.

Evangelicalism

A branch of Protestant Christianity emphasizing personal faith and spreading the gospel.

Spiritual Marketplace

The notion of individuals choosing spiritual paths akin to shopping for products.

Integration

How different religions are assimilated into social structures and cultural practices.

Charismatic Leadership

A form of influence exerted by an inspiring and persuasive individual.

Scientific Method

A systematic observation, measurement, experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypotheses.

Social Change

Alterations in societal structure and cultural norms over time.

Ideological State Apparatus

Institutions such as education and religion that perpetuate ideology.

Contradiction

A situation in which inherent conflicts occur within or between belief systems or practices.

Believers,

Individuals who support and adhere to a specific religious framework or ideology.

Secularism

The principle of separating religion from political, social, and educational institutions.

Cultural Transition

How religions adapt when transitioning into different cultural contexts.

Myth of Progress

The belief that societies move towards greater sophistication and enlightenment over time.

Transcendence

A state of going beyond ordinary limits, particularly in a spiritual sense.

Collective Identity

A sense of belonging to a group based on shared characteristics, beliefs, or values.

Religious Pluralism

The coexistence of multiple religious beliefs and practices within a society.

New Frameworks of Belief

Emergence of new ideologies and belief systems in response to societal changes.

Religious Literacy

The understanding and knowledge of different religions and spiritual beliefs.

Theodicy

The justification of the goodness of God in the presence of evil.

Historical Materialism

The theory that material conditions and economic factors shape society's development.

Legitimation

The process through which dominant ideologies are justified within a society.

Social Stratification

The hierarchical arrangement of individuals in society based on wealth, power, and privilege.

Crisis of Authority

Diminishing faith in traditional institutions and figures of authority.

Social Cohesion

The bonds that bring society together, often reinforced by shared beliefs.

Ritual Purification

Practices meant to cleanse individuals spiritually or morally.

Doctrine

A set of beliefs held and taught by a religious group.

Proselytism

The act of attempting to convert others to one's own religion.

Survival of the Fittest

The idea that only the strongest characteristics in a society survive.

Faith-Based Organizations

Groups that work in social sectors motivated by their religious convictions.

Dialogue Between Religions

The interactions and conversations between different religious traditions.

Interfaith Cooperation

Collaborative efforts between followers of different faiths.

Concept of God

Different interpretations and understandings of divinity across cultures.

Secular Humanism

A philosophy embracing human reason, ethics, and justice while rejecting religious dogma.